NCF Tuesday: Future of Print Books; Writing Contests; Literature Quiz


News

Source
The Future of Print Books

Emily Witt of The New York Observer discusses indie publisher Melville House’s attempt to secure print books in the future. The innovation HybridBooks will utilize Quick Response (QR) barcodes in the back of print books, giving readers access to free supplemental material.

Will the QR barcode help print books maintain relevance?



Source
Need Help Focusing on Writing? 

John Briggs from The New York Times breaks down three text editors that provide full-screen views, cutting down on internet distractions. Briggs also features an “app that turns off your network connection for a set amount of time.”

How do you avoid distraction while writing?


   
Source
Experience Leads to Inspiration

For all my nonfiction writers and passionate procrastinators. Travel with A. Igoni Barrett on his flight home to Lagos, Nigeria while he reminiscences about his fellowship at the Norman Mailer Writers Colony, his battle with writer’s block and inspiration.

What experiences or places have inspired your writing?


Contests

FICTION
Glimmer Train Literary Journal
-       Short Story Award for New Writers; 1,500-12,000 words
-       First Place Prize: $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue
-       Deadline: Aug 31, 2011
-       Details here 

Writer’s Digest Magazine
-       Short Short Writing Competition
o   Fiction: 1,500 words or less
o   First Place Prize: $3,000 and a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference
o   Deadline: November 15, 2011
o   Details here
-       5-Minute Memoir, “Tales From the Writing Life”
o   Personal Essay (600 words or less)
o   Prize: Publication in Writer’s Digest magazine
o   Deadline: Rolling submissions
o   Details here 
Zoetrope All-Story Magazine
-       Fifteenth Annual All-Story Short Fiction Contest: 5,000 words or less
-       First Place Prize: $1,000, online publication and possible representation
-       Deadline: October 3, 2011
-       Details here

POETRY
Writer’s Digest Magazine
-       7th Annual Poetry Awards Competition
o   Poetry: 32 lines or less
o   First Place Prize: $1,500 and a trip to the Writer’s Digest Conference
o   Deadline: December 1, 2011
o   Details here 

Fun
Test your debt in literature know-how with this fun quiz from The Guardian. Enjoy!

Debt in Literature Quiz

Comments

Jenna Cooper said…
Love the link for cutting down on internet distractions--it's one of my weaknesses. Thanks for sharing!
August 9, 2011 at 5:12 PM
Amie Kaufman said…
What a fantastic list! I'm off to read the internet distractiosn article now... while I should be writing...
August 10, 2011 at 7:03 AM
Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said…
I give into distractions while writing which is probably why some days I don't accomplish much.

Thanks for that link to the enhanced print book thing. I read it and think it's interesting you'll be able to use your phone to get features not available in the printed version. Kind of a fascinating idea.
August 10, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Unknown said…
I think the barcode concept is interesting, but I still think it introduces extra steps to the reading process that people with iPads, etc. won't have to take. In fact, most people will use their iPad, phone, and so on to scan the image in the first place.

If it had come out 10 years ago, it probably could have had an impact. But now? Not sure ...

Glad you liked the music I shared on my blog, and thanks for stopping by!

EJ
August 17, 2011 at 6:53 PM
M Pax said…
The QR code is interesting. I've read about cell phones using it. An an enhanced book is an intriguing idea.

What a great bunch of gems you've gathered for us here. Thanks :D
August 18, 2011 at 5:27 PM
Misha Gerrick said…
Great links! The QR code is really interesting. In fact, it might be something that I could use...

:-)
August 19, 2011 at 12:43 PM
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